Guest Conductor Experiences

For the third consecutive year, Duke men’s basketball fans have an incredible opportunity to be in the center of the action in Cameron Indoor Stadium during the upcoming season while bringing along friends and family for a once in a lifetime experience. The Duke Band Alumni Association (DBAA), the official alumni association of the Duke University Marching Band (D.U.M.B), today announced that registration is open for this season’s Duke Band Guest Conductor Game Day Experiences.

This unique program is open to all fans and no prior conducting experience is necessary to participate. By joining the Duke Band in Cameron Indoor Stadium as a guest conductor, each game day experience includes three seats for the conductor’s guests (two guest seats together near the court in the bleachers of Section 19 and one guest seat in the band section), a special courtside presentation, conductor coaching, a personalized conductor baton, band rugbies (uniforms) for the guest conductor and guests, four or more opportunities to conduct the band throughout the game, a personalized, framed photograph to commemorate the occasion, and a special place in history on the DBAA’s website, Facebook page and Twitter feed. Former Duke men’s basketball player and ESPN college basketball analyst, Jay Bilas, served as a guest conductor to help test the concept two years ago, and many more fans served as guest conductors last year!

All Game Day Experiences have a specific donation requirement and are reserved on a first-come-first-served basis. The proceeds from the Duke Band Guest Conductor Game Day Experiences will go toward the Duke University Marching Band’s “Forever D.U.M.B” fundraising campaign. Last year, the DBAA launched a campaign to create a $2.5 million endowment to help strengthen the marching band program for Duke undergraduates and to enhance the band’s impact on the game day experience for fans at all Duke Athletics events.

“The early success of this initiative has been truly amazing, and we are still gaining momentum,” said Jeff Au, Duke’s Athletic Bands director. “I am appreciative of the many people who are making this happen, and I am excited to see where this all leads.”

“After witnessing the popularity and success of last year’s Guest Conductor Experiences, we’re excited to once again give all fans an opportunity to conduct the Duke Band in Cameron Indoor Stadium!,” said Nick Superina and Mike Rosen, co-founders of the Duke Band Alumni Association.“ “Being a guest conductor in Cameron is a very special and fun way to contribute to the band’s Forever D.U.M.B campaign, helping to ensure a strong financial foundation for the undergraduate band and an exciting game day experience at Duke Athletics events for years to come.”